TUESDAY'S TIDBITS Line of the Day Andruw Jones Jones became the 11th player in NL history to homer in four straight at-bats. His first two homers came Saturday in his final two at-bats, while the second two came Tuesday. AB H HR RBI 4 3 2 4 Hero of the day Giants starter Jason Schmidt won for the fourth time in five starts as San Francisco defeated Los Angeles 5-2 for a one-game lead in the NL wild card race. Goat of the day Indians reliever Mark Wohlers made a throwing error in the ninth inning that allowed Shannon Stewart to score the go-ahead run as Toronto beat Cleveland 5-4. Injury report Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (right shoulder strain) threw 20 pitches off a bullpen mound in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday. Rivera will throw again off the mound Thursday. ''I can't allow myself to think we'll have him yet,'' manager Joe Torre said. ''It would be a big letdown if we count on him and then he can't pitch.'' Braves C Javy Lopez missed his ninth straight game with a sore throwing shoulder, but he'll get a chance to catch one of the games in Wednesday's doubleheader. Dodgers pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, hit in the forehead by a line drive last weekend, was improving Tuesday, a day after surgery to remove bone chips from his nasal passage. Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said Ishii took a walk outside Cedars Sinai Hospital, where he is expected to remain for a few days. Expos OF Wil Cordero sat out again with a back strain. Streak of the day Marlins OF Kevin Millar had hits in both games of the doubleheader to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, the longest active streak in the NL. He went 4-for-8 on the night. Stat of the day The Devil Rays (48-96) have the fewest wins by an AL team after 144 games since the 1979 Toronto Blue Jays were 46-98. Stat of the day, part deux When Ichiro Suzuki and Desi Relaford led off Monday night's game with homers, it was the first time in club history that the Mariners had opened a game with consecutive home runs. The last word ''It was a frustrating month. August was tough on me. I felt like, maybe, if I would have pitched a lot better, we'd be in a different situation right now.'' -- Red Sox starter John Burkett, who snapped a seven-game winless streak Tuesday.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Orioles-Yankees
BALTIMORE: The Orioles will try not to use RHP Scott Erickson for the rest of the season. Erickson missed all of last season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow. ''I'm not going to say I'm not going to pitch him,'' manager Mike Hargrove said. ''If I need him, I'll use him. He's available. He's not going to make another start. I'll use him out of the bullpen if I need him.'' ... OF Gary Matthews Jr. (tendinitis in right wrist) planned to hit off a tee and take soft toss, but Hargrove said he's not ready to come off the DL yet. ... The Orioles will wear a five-sided patch for Wednesday's game to honor victims from the Pentagon in the attacks last Sept. 11.

NEW YORK: Closer Mariano Rivera (right shoulder strain) threw 20 pitches off a bullpen mound in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday. Rivera will throw again off the mound Thursday. ''I can't allow myself to think we'll have him yet,'' manager Joe Torre said. ''It would be a big letdown if we count on him and then he can't pitch.'' ... Drew Henson scored his first career run as a pinch runner in the opening game, but doesn't know what he will get as a souvenir. ''It felt good to cross the plate,'' he said. ''Well, I guess I can't really ask for the plate.'' ... OF Bernie Williams said Wednesday's game on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would be ''very special.'' Williams recalled how difficult it was to play last year after the attacks. ''I wasn't really into it,'' he said. ''I felt sort of in a daze. I just couldn't find the meaning until I realized this is what I do.'' ... Alfonso Soriano, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Robin Ventura all did not start the second game. ''It gives us a formidable bench,'' Torre said. ... Major General Franklin L. Hagenbeck, a former ball boy for the Cardinals, threw out the first pitch. Hagenbeck just returned from Afghanistan, where he was the first coalition land component commander. ... The Yankees are in discussions to switch Double-A affiliates with Boston. New York would take over the team in Trenton. N.J., and the Red Sox would operate the team in Norwich, Conn.

Red Sox-Devil Rays
BOSTON: RHP Pedro Martinez (left hip-groin) is to make his first start Wednesday since Aug. 28. ''We'll be watching him real closely,'' manager Grady Little said. Martinez is expected to throw fewer than 100 pitches. ... RHP Derek Lowe could become the first major league pitcher to record 40 saves in one season and then later in his career win 20 games as a starter. He became the AL's second 19-winner in Monday's 6-3 win over Tampa Bay. ''Now it's a realistic goal,'' Lowe said. ''Opportunities like this don't come around very often, so you've got to try and make the most out of it.'' Dennis Eckersley and John Smoltz won 20 games and then later recorded 40 saves. ... Little loaded his lineup with right-handed bats -- including Benny Agbayani, Tony Clark and Doug Mirabelli -- against Tampa Bay LHP Joe Kennedy. ... RHPs Frank Castillo or Josh Hancock might pitch game one of Monday's doubleheader. Martinez, barring any problems, was likely to start the second game.

TAMPA BAY: U.S. Army General Tommy Franks is scheduled to address fans at Tropicana Field before Wednesday's game as part of pregame activities to mark the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. ... Rocco Baldelli, currently at Triple-A Durham, was selected minor league player of the year by Baseball America. ''It was pretty unbelievable hearing it,'' said Baldelli, who was informed about winning the award while flying with his teammates for an International League playoff game at Buffalo. ... Manager Hal McRae is not sure when INF Russ Johnson, who underwent treatment in July for depression, will get a start. Johnson popped put as pinch-hitter Monday in his first major league game since July 2. ... RHP Paul Wilson, who skipped a start because of a tired arm, will not be on pitch count Wednesday.

Blue Jays-Indians
TORONTO: Manager Carlos Tosca said OF Jose Cruz Jr. could come off the disabled list Monday for the start of a seven-game homestand. Cruz was placed on the DL with a left ankle sprain on Aug. 15. ... 3B Eric Hinske's 21st homer on Monday set a Blue Jays rookie record, breaking the mark of 20 set by Fred McGriff in 1987. ''It's an honor just to be mentioned with Fred McGriff,'' Hinske said. He also has 33 doubles, a club rookie record. ... The Blue Jays are 26 games behind the New York Yankees, matching a season high.

CLEVELAND: Rookie RHP Jason Davis is taking RHP Jaret Wright's spot in the starting rotation. The 22-year-old started the season in Single-A Kinston, then went 6-2 with a 3.51 ERA in 10 starts for Double-A Akron. He allowed a run and three hits over four innings in his major league debut Monday. Wright allowed six runs and seven hits in two innings Monday. He was sent to the bullpen. ... OF Karim Garcia has hit safely in 15 of 16 games, batting 25-for-67 (.373) with seven home runs and 26 RBI. ... OF Coco Crisp was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday to take over for OF Milton Bradley, who has a strained left oblique muscle.

Tigers-Twins
DETROIT: Shane Loux, who went 11-10 with Triple-A Toledo this season before being recalled on Saturday, made his major league debut with a start against the Twins on Tuesday night. ... Longtime Tigers radio announcer Ernie Harwell, making his farewell tour of American League cities in his 55th and final season behind the mike, was honored by the Twins before Tuesday's game. Twins radio play-by-play man Herb Carneal, who was Harwell's broadcast partner for three seasons in the late 1950s with Baltimore, took part in the ceremony. Carneal has been calling Twins games for 41 years. ... Loux became the ninth starter the Tigers have used in 15 meetings with Minnesota this year. ... The Tigers continue to look at George Lombard and Hiram Bocachica in center field. Lombard batted leadoff and played center on Tuesday.

MINNESOTA: The Twins entered their game Tuesday night against Detroit with a 39-19 record against the AL Central but just 44-42 against the rest of baseball. ... 1B Doug Mientkiewicz still has some soreness in a wrist but can play. ... SS Cristian Guzman can play despite a shoulder that has been sore all season. ... Bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, the Twins' longest-tenured uniformed employee, who joined their coaching staff in 1980, had some zip on his fastball during batting practice Tuesday. Quipped Denny Hocking: ''Hey, Stelly, if you were pitching for Detroit tonight, I would've come up with a sore hamstring.'' ... The Twins' Triple-A affiliate, the Edmonton Trappers, opened the best-of-five Pacific Coast League championship series Tuesday night against the Salt Lake Stingers, Anaheim's farm club.

Mariners-Rangers
SEATTLE: When Ichiro Suzuki and Desi Relaford led off Monday night's game with homers, it was the first time in club history that the Mariners had opened a game with consecutive home runs. ... RHP Jamie Moyer had been 10-3 vs. Texas until Monday night, when he allowed five runs and six hits over 4 2-3 innings, picking up the loss in the 12-7 defeat to the Rangers. Moyer matched his shortest outing of the season. Moyer pitched for Texas in 1989-90. ... Until Monday, Seattle hadn't lost at Texas since July 5, 2001. The Mariners had won nine in a row in Arlington.

TEXAS: With a 9.70 ERA in his 12 starts this season, RHP Aaron Myette can't count on too many more chances to win a job in the 2003 rotation. Myette has a 16.62 ERA over his last four starts. ... Monday night's crowd of 18,066 was the smallest at The Ballpark in Arlington since Sept. 7, 1995, a makeup game against the Chicago White Sox.

Athletics-Angels
OAKLAND: Manager Art Howe said about two hours before gametime he was going to hold David Justice out of the starting lineup to give him a rest, but it was announced an hour later Justice would be in left field, replacing Adam Piatt. ... LHP Ted Lilly, who hadn't pitched since July 20 because of inflammation in his pitching shoulder, made his third start for the A's, who acquired him from the New York Yankees on July 5. ''He's sound,'' Howe said. ''We've really taken our time to make sure he's sound.'' When asked what he was expecting from Lilly, Howe replied: ''A win.'' ... The A's entered having won 23 of their last 24 games while the Angels had won 10 of 11. ... SS Miguel Tejeda entered with 185 hits -- tied with Carney Lansford for second on the A's single-season list. Jose Canseco set the Oakland record with 187 hits in 1988. The last A's player with 200 or more hits was Wally Moses in 1937 with 208.

ANAHEIM: 3B Troy Glaus didn't start because of a jammed left ring finger and is day to day, Scioscia said. Glaus was injured sliding headfirst into second base Monday night. ''It's just very sore and swollen,'' Scioscia said of Glaus' left ring finger. ''Hopefully we'll get him back in there tomorrow night.'' ... 1B Scott Spiezio moved to third base and Shawn Wooten played first. ... The Angels entered having lost 18 of their last 23 games against the A's.

White Sox-Royals
CHICAGO: The White Sox reactivated RHP Todd Ritchie from the 15-day DL. He's been out with a sore right shoulder. Manager Jerry Manuel said he would be available Wednesday. Joe Borchard's inside-the-park home run Monday night was the first by a White Sox since Chris Singleton hit one against the Royals on Sept. 29, 2000.

KANSAS CITY: SS Neifi Perez refused to enter Monday night's game as a defensive replacement, later saying he was only joking with manager Tony Pena. ''I told him, No, Tony, I'm not going to play shortstop.' But I was just playing,'' Perez said Tuesday. ''When Tony Pena turned around and said, 'OK, you're not going to play? That's fine.' ''When he turned around, I pulled on his shoulder and I told him, 'You know I'm going to play shortstop because I respect this game. You know I'm going to play shortstop.''' Pena refused to say what happened between Perez and himself during the 10-6 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pirates-Reds
PITTSBURGH: Catching prospect J.R. House is expected to miss the majority of the 2003 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery to repair a ligament in his right elbow. The 22-year-old House played in last year's Futures Game in Seattle. ... RHP Kris Benson, who missed the entire 2001 season after undergoing ''Tommy John'' surgery on his right elbow the previous May, will be trying for his fourth win in his last four decisions when he starts against the Reds on Wednesday. ... Brian Giles had reached base in 38 of his last 68 plate appearances.

CINCINNATI: Manager Bob Boone doesn't plan to take a long look at prospect Wily Mo Pena, even though the 20-year-old outfielder is in the last year of a five-year major league contract. ''I'm going to play it as straight as I can,'' Boone said. ''I'm going to put the best lineup that I can on the field. I'm trying to win as many games as I can.'' ... Aaron Boone, one homer shy of 25, came in hitless in his last 11 at-bats. He had four hits in his past 31 at-bats. ... Cincinnati entered with a magic number of eight for elimination from both the NL Central and wild-card races.

Marlins-Phillies
FLORIDA: Mike Redmond's game-winning home run in the first game of a doubleheader came as a bit of a shock to the catcher. ''I'm not a big home run hitter so it surprised me as much as it did everyone else,'' said Redmond, who had not homered since May 19 and has just two this season. ... Wednesday's starter RHP Brad Penny is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his last six starts. ... The Marlins finish the season with 18 games against the NL East. They have five more against Philadelphia, seven with Atlanta and six vs. Montreal.

PHILADELPHIA: Manager Larry Bowa is completely frustrated with his team's major league-leading runners left on base total. ''I get asked about it every game and I don't have an answer for them,'' Bowa said. ''All I know is it's the same thing every night. We're doing this regularly.'' Going into the nightcap, Philadelphia had stranded 1,120 runners. ... The Phillies have been swept in seven series this season.

Mets-Braves
NEW YORK: Former Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez, now a TV broadcaster for the team, apologized for negative comments in an Internet column. Hernandez wrote that the team ''has no heart'' and ''quit a long time ago,'' drawing harsh criticism from some players, including Mike Piazza. Hernandez apologized during a private clubhouse meeting before the Mets opened a series at Turner Field. ''It's a done, dead issue,'' general manager Steve Phillips said. ''He felt like he made a mistake and he said so.'' Phillips described Hernandez as ''very, very sincere, and I think that came across and I think the guys were satisfied.'' Asked what Hernandez said to the players, 1B Mo Vaughn replied sarcastically, ''Have a nice day.'' ... OF Brady Clark will join the team Wednesday. He was acquired from Cincinnati on Monday, completing a trade that sent LHP Shawn Estes to the Reds on Aug. 15. ... Six New York city police officers who responded to the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center are attending the series in Atlanta as guests of the Mets.

ATLANTA: The Braves activated 1B-3B Wes Helms from the disabled list, but he'll only be available as a pinch-runner for now. Helms has been out since Aug. 10 with a sprained right thumb. He won't start swinging a bat until Friday. ... C Javy Lopez missed his ninth straight game with a sore throwing shoulder, but he'll get a chance to catch one of the games in Wednesday's doubleheader. ... Jones and Jones were back in the lineup. Chipper Jones had missed the two previous games with a sore neck, while Andruw Jones was held out of Sunday's loss to Montreal after being hit on his helmet by a pitch.

Expos-Cubs
MONTREAL: The Expos put INF-OF Jose Macias on the 60-day disabled list with a strained left wrist. Macias said his hand is so sore he can't bat or play catch. To take his place, the Expos purchased the contract of INF Jamey Carroll from Triple-A Ottawa. This is Carroll's first trip to the majors. ''I don't know what this short a period of time will prove,'' manager Frank Robinson said. ''But it will certainly give us some answers. We'll try to find out about him.'' ... LHP Scott Stewart, who rejoined the team for this trip after having a bone spur removed from his elbow, won't pitch against the Cubs. Tests on his elbow showed no problems, but Robinson wants to be certain. ''We're going to run him through one more little test,'' Robinson said. ''I just want to make absolutely sure before we run him out to the mound this late in the season.'' Stewart leads the team with 17 saves. ... OF/INF Wil Cordero sat out again with a back strain.

CHICAGO: RHP Matt Clement, who left Monday night's start in the fifth inning with back spasms, said his back felt better and he doesn't expect to miss a start. ''As of right now, I'm planning on pitching Saturday night,'' Clement said. ''I'm going to take the new couple of days off and give it some rest.'' ... Clement got his 200th strikeout of the season Monday night, third in the NL behind Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. ''Yeah, but I'm a ways behind them,'' Clement said, laughing. ... Many Cubs have said Wrigley Field day games have something to do with the team's record, and interim manager Bruce Kimm agrees. ''It's more of a grind,'' Kimm said. ''It's not so much the heat. But the sun's beating on you, you're sweating all the time. But you can't use that as an excuse. It's there.'' ... OF Corey Patterson, 8-for-59 in his last 17 games, got another night off. ... C Todd Hundley was fined for missing the team picture. RHP Kyle Farnsworth also was absent, but he was excused because he had a doctor's appointment.

Rockies-Astros
HOUSTON: Lance Berkman is one home run shy of becoming the third player in franchise history with 40. Jeff Bagwell has reached the mark three times (1997, 1999, 2000) and Richard Hidalgo did it in 2000. ... Geoff Blum has a career-high 51 RBI, one more than he had last season in Montreal.

COLORADO: Todd Jones has made 70 appearances, tied for eighth on the club list. ... Jay Payton came in one run short of his career high of 63 set in 2000.

Cardinals-Brewers
ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals will present ''A Tribute to Heroes'' during pregame ceremonies Wednesday night at Miller Park. Four members of the New York Fire Department will receive team jackets from managers Jerry Royster of the Brewers and Tony La Russa of the Cardinals. ... LHP Mike Matthews, on the disabled list since Aug. 21 with a right hip flexor, is believed to be the final player to be named in the trade for RHP Jamey Wright of Milwaukee. Matthews (2-1, 3.89 ERA) pitched in 43 games, all in relief, for the Cardinals this season. ... With 99 more wins, La Russa will catch Leo Durocher for seventh career in victories as a manager.

MILWAUKEE: Ben Sheets (9-15) will pitch Wednesday night against the Cardinals with hopes of getting some support from his teammates, who rank 15th in the NL in runs. The Brewers have averaged 1.53 runs in Sheets' 15 losses. ... Sheets (187 2-3 innings) and Glendon Rusch (184 2-3) should become the first Brewers to pitch more than 200 innings since Cal Eldred (202) in 1997. ... The production of All-Star first baseman Richie Sexson (28 HRs, 99 RBIs) hasn't surprised manager Jerry Royster, but his improved defensive play certainly has. ''Did we think he'd hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs? Yes,'' Royster said. ''Did we expect him to play defense like he has? No.''

Padres-Diamondbacks
SAN DIEGO: The Padres faced Curt Schilling, completing a stretch of three games against pitchers with a combined 59-17 record. They beat Jason Jennings on Sunday, then lost to Randy Johnson on Monday night. ... San Diego came in 1-7 with a five-game losing streak at Bank One Ballpark. ... After sitting out Monday, 1B Ryan Klesko was back in the lineup. He had hit safely in 16 of 17 games with a .385 batting average, seven doubles, five homers and 15 RBIs in that span. ... Since joining the Padres from Triple-A Portland last Tuesday, Sean Burroughs has gone 10-for-18 in seven games, including four multihit games.

ARIZONA: LHP Brian Anderson is frustrated about having to skip a start in the rotation. As the No. 5 starter, Anderson is the odd man out after Thursday's off day, with Randy Johnson pitching Saturday and Curt Schilling on Sunday. RHP Rick Helling will get the start in the series opener against Milwaukee on Friday night. ... Johnson is 78-27 in four seasons with Arizona with 1,382 strikeouts and three Cy Young Awards. ... 2B Junior Spivey entered batting .150 (6-for-40) in his last 11 games. ... 3B Matt Williams has two three-hit games in the past week. ... The Diamondbacks have only three games remaining against a team with a winning record -- at St. Louis Aug. 23-25.

Dodgers-Giants
LOS ANGELES: RHP Kevin Brown made his first start since having back surgery in June. He lost to the Giants opening day 9-2 in his only other appearance against San Francisco this season. Brown started in place of RHP Andy Ashby, who has an infection and blister under the fingernail on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Ashby hopes to throw Wednesday and is scheduled to start Sunday. Ashby had a similar infection in 2000 that spread all the way up his arm. ... Rookie pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, hit in the forehead by a line drive last weekend, was improving Tuesday, a day after surgery to remove bone chips from his nasal passage. Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said Ishii took a walk outside Cedars Sinai Hospital, where he is expected to remain for a few days. The Japanese left-hander, who turned 29 Monday, was struck by a line drive hit by Houston's Brian Hunter in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Astros. Dodgers spokesman Luis Garcia said no decision has been made on whether Ishii will pitch again this season. The team has 19 games remaining in the regular season. ''It's too soon,'' Garcia said. Ishii has a 14-10 record and a 4.27 ERA. ... The Dodgers recalled OF Luke Allen and LHP Victor Alvarez from Triple-A Las Vegas.

SAN FRANCISCO: All five Giants starters have 10 or more wins. ''Balance is the key,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ''It keeps you out of any long sustained losing streaks and takes pressure off the bullpen.'' ... The Giants are third in the majors in attendance, averaging 40,122 fans per game -- behind only the Yankees (44,750) and Mariners (43,933).